It is no secret to many of you that I really love musical theatre. Throughout the course of the year, with my family in tow, I try to see as many productions and performances as my schedule will allow. Recently, I had the opportunity to see Dear Evan Hansen, a show that explores topics highly relevant to today’s culture and the challenges our students face.

Among the many storylines, the theme of belonging is consistent throughout the show - how one seemingly small connection can ripple through a community and change lives.

On Saturday 22 March, we had the pleasure of welcoming many new and familiar faces to our school for the 2025 Open Day. It was a truly vibrant and joyful occasion, with our students, staff, and wider school community coming together to showcase what makes Ivanhoe Girls’ unique. Open Day is always a special event, and this year’s was particularly vibrant, with almost 900 guests registering for tours of our beautiful school.

Belonging is at the heart of our school’s values. It is something we nurture intentionally every day, and it was inspiring to see how this sense of connection was evident throughout Open Day. From the friendly welcome at the School entrances by our Association volunteers and staff to the engaging presentations and interactive displays, our visitors could feel the warmth and pride of our community. It was a powerful reminder that belonging is not just about being present, but about feeling valued and connected.

One of the highlights of the day was seeing our students act as tour guides and ambassadors, proudly sharing their experiences and achievements. Their enthusiasm was palpable, and visitors consistently commented on how much they enjoyed hearing from the students themselves. Whether performing music, demonstrating in the classrooms, or guiding visitors around the School, our students exemplified the spirit of belonging.

You may remember that in 2024 a group of our students and staff took part in a research project through The University of Sydney. This community-led research, titled ‘Corridor Cultures’ aimed to “investigate how school policies, spaces and activities influence cultures of gender and sexuality, and how these in turn shape feelings of belonging and wellbeing at school.” At a recent staff meeting, Dr Victoria Rawlings returned to Ivanhoe Girls’ to present some of the key finds from the data collected from our school. While the results from other sample schools fluctuated from topic to topic, our school stood out as an anomaly, with one message evident throughout all areas of the study - Ivanhoe Girls’ is a school where students are connected and feel as though they belong.

As we continue to build and strengthen our school community, it’s important to remember that belonging is created through collective effort and commitment. Each interaction - whether in the classroom, the School grounds, or beyond - contributes to this culture. I am immensely proud of our students for the way they represented our school on Open Day, and I am grateful to our staff for their dedication in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Ms Narelle Umbers
Principal